Toronto Public Library – Wychwood

Nice neighbourhood branch. Also, easy access to printing for 15 cents a page.

I’ve been to this branch a few times, although i can’t say that i’ve gotten any books out.
The main reason i go there is the great atmosphere and the free wi-​fi. When i need to get focused on something i take my laptop and find a spot to settle in. The high vaulted ceilings give it a lofty barn feel, which i love. The staff are always friendly. They never hover, even if you spend a few hours there.

Next to the Reference Library, this is my favourite branch of the Toronto Public Library — mostly thanks to the wicked awesome building it’s situated in.
Because it’s a bit of an older building there’s nothing particularly flash about this particular branch, but I think it’s got quite a character of its own, especially with the odd round reading room on the south side of the building.
Services are decent (they have a small bank of computers), there’s a reasonable selection of stuff on shelves and they are a reasonable location to grab holds from. There’s a bit of bottlenecking near the stairs/​entrance if there’s a bit of a lineup, but most of the rest of the building you won’t find hard to get around. Unlike the Ref. Library — and despite the building’s awesomeness — I generally don’t aim to spend time here; just get my books and scoot.
A short walk from bus/​streetcar stops and St Clair West station makes this ideally situated. If it were open 7 days a week, I think I could squeeze in an extra star.
[They do get bonus points for appearing in the Scott Pilgrim comics *and* movie though.]

Wychwood Branch is a smallish but grand-​feeling library, situated near the tony neighbourhoods of Wychwood Park & Deer Park, and the somewhat more scraggly (yet beloved) Hillcrest Park area.
Despite the library’s size, the shelves are good for a browse, and I’ve found the staff very cheerful and helpful. It’s my local, and I’m going to start using it to pick up holds.
The children’s area downstairs is bright and welcoming. The upstairs is wonderful; my first impression, coming out of the fiery August day, was of a dim, cool area with high arched ceilings. It feels like the one of the Arts and Crafts-​era mansions of Wychwood Park. There are good tables for studying, but I wish they had more comfortable, well-​lit areas for casual reading. It’s a wonderful space.